The Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia Limited (AHCSA) is the peak body representing Aboriginal community-controlled health and substance misuse services in South Australia at state and national levels.

Our primary role is to be the ‘health voice’ for all Aboriginal people in South Australia. We achieve this by advocating for the community and supporting workers through our Member Services with appropriate Aboriginal health programs based on a holistic perspective of health.

Summary of the Role

The Senior Policy Officer is responsible for leading the development, implementation, and advocacy of policies in strategic priority areas to support Member Services to improve health outcomes for their Aboriginal communities. It provides expert advice on policy matters, legislation, and practices affecting Member Services, develops evidence-based recommendations, and communicates sector-wide positions on key health issues, in alignment with AHCSA’s vision and strategic priorities.

The position undertakes policy analysis and advocacy, identifying gaps and opportunities for change at local, state, and national levels, and preparing submissions and reports to advocate for policy reforms. It engages with key stakeholders to ensure AHCSA’s policy priorities are represented and advanced.

The Senior Policy Officer supports program and project delivery by ensuring alignment with policy objectives, and providing guidance to Member Services on program and project approaches. It also contributes to capacity building by delivering training and mentoring and providing regular updates to AHCSA and Member Service staff on Aboriginal health policy matters.

The Senior Policy Officer is accountable to and reports to the Manager, Sector Intelligence. It works in close collaboration with staff across AHCSA and Member Services, and engages with external stakeholders as required.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Policy Leadership: Developing and implementing policy, ensuring alignment with AHCSA’s priorities, and guiding high-level decisions that influence the improvement of health outcomes for Aboriginal communities

Policy Analysis and Advocacy: Researching, reviewing, and advocating for policy changes to influence external policy environments and address gaps in service delivery

Stakeholder Engagement: Building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders to understand and advocate for the needs of Aboriginal people

Program and Project Support and Coordination: Ensuring programs and services being delivered align to policy requirements

Capacity Building: Building the capacity of AHCSA and Member Service staff to understand, work with, and contribute to Aboriginal health policy

Data Analysis and Reporting: Leading data informed policy development through data collection, analysis and sharing

Essential Experience

Experience in developing, implementing and contributing to health policies and position statements related to maternal, child and youth health.

Experience in researching, analysing and interpreting data and evidence to identify trends, inform policy and practices, and develop policy and position statements.

Experience in an advisory role, and liaising and negotiating with high level stakeholders for policy and practice.

Experience in monitoring data and using it for evaluation and reporting purposes.

Experience in community engagement and development with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and organisations.

Desirable Experience

Experience in capacity building activities to support evidence based best practice in ACCHOs on maternal, child and youth health policy, training and programs.

Experience in critically reviewing relevant research and evaluation studies, to implement findings for practical application in organisational strategies and programs.

Certificate III or IV in Aboriginal Primary Health Care, with Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Care (AMIC) specialisation.

Degree or Diploma in Public Health, Health Science, Primary Health Care or similar field.

Special Conditions

National Police Certificate required.

Requires the ability to travel intra-state and interstate, including overnight absences.

Out-of-hours work may be required.

Working with Children Screening may be required.

What we offer

The opportunity to join the peak body representing Aboriginal community-controlled health and substance misuse services in South Australia

A workplace that encourages work/life balance

An inclusive and diverse workplace

Great salary package and benefits

Generous leave provisions

How to apply

Please apply via SEEK.

To be considered for the role you are required to submit a Resume and Suitability Statement of no more than 5 pages.

The Suitability Statement has to address the Statement of Key Responsibilities of the Job and Person Specification. Only applications that have addressed the Statement of Key Responsibilities will be considered.

Visit our webpage to find the Job and Person Specification under the Work With Us tab - https://ahcsa.org.au/work-with-us/current-opportunities/ or you can contact the Human Resources team at [email protected].

Please note, late applications will not be accepted and no agencies please.

Closing Date for applications: Sunday 22nd June 2025

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

This position may be filled prior to the closing date of the Advertisement.